Definition of honestnext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective honest differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of honest are conscientious, honorable, just, scrupulous, and upright. While all these words mean "having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right," honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, or fairness.

known for being honest in business dealings

How do conscientious and scrupulous relate to one another, in the sense of honest?

Both conscientious and scrupulous imply an active moral sense governing all one's actions and painstaking efforts to follow one's conscience.

conscientious in the completion of her assignments
scrupulous in carrying out the terms of the will

When would honorable be a good substitute for honest?

The meanings of honorable and honest largely overlap; however, honorable suggests a firm holding to codes of right behavior and the guidance of a high sense of honor and duty.

a difficult but honorable decision

Where would just be a reasonable alternative to honest?

While the synonyms just and honest are close in meaning, just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable.

workers given just compensation

When might upright be a better fit than honest?

The words upright and honest can be used in similar contexts, but upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles.

a stern and upright minister

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of honest Be honest with yourself, believe in yourself. Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026 Protesters have argued that the delays amounted to collective punishment, leaving honest farmers in debt and unable to plant their fields for next season. ABC News, 13 Feb. 2026 Being honest about your limits protects quality and momentum. Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026 If a guy has a question, be honest with them. Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for honest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for honest
Adjective
  • One confidant reportedly told a source that Bass was not truthful in her public statements about her lack of involvement and warned her that modifying the report could harm her politically.
    Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Not being truthful about his condition cost Haman his life, Alai claimed.
    Logan Smith, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Though the art that first spoke to me was honest and honorable depictions of Black life, I have since been inspired, gutted and changed by artists from all walks of life.
    Anya Sesay, jsonline.com, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Democratic Congressman Mike Thompson called LaMalfa an honorable public servant and recounted the two working together to deliver help for wildfire victims.
    Steve Large, CBS News, 25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Karp’s defense of Epstein raises ethical and professional questions.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 Feb. 2026
  • The party is attempting to establish itself as the responsible anchor of a fragile coalition — a role that demands ethical clarity, internal coherence, and strategic restraint.
    Sam Mkokeli, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The files have created some genuine issues for news organizations, whose ranks are filled with individuals with whom Epstein hoped to forge personal connections.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Both players had fists full of each other’s shirts, but the referee pointed to the spot and deemed Akpoguma not to have made a genuine attempt for the ball.
    Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Social gatherings like schools or churches, promotional commissions for growing businesses, the development of vital projects like the All-American Canal and Hoover Dam, candid shots of workers and goers-by, desert landscapes, and much, much more.
    Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
  • The legal filing followed a candid social media announcement in January 2025, when Alba publicly confirmed the split.
    Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Those places were unregulated, untaxed and, typically, not particularly conscientious about checking ID.
    Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Many states are new enacting or widening already broad religious and conscientious exemptions.
    Richard Hughes IV, STAT, 12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Those born in the year of the Horse are fiercely independent, but also devoted and authentic.
    Annabel Gat, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Rather than diluting specific cultural elements, Ota maintains that preserving local intensity while creating accessible entry points through subtitles and editing allows authentic engagement.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Only 22 sites would have reliable climate conditions by mid-century, the study found.
    Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Built for extreme cold Corvus One for Cold Chain uses industrial-grade barcode scanners with precise control over focus and exposure, enabling reliable label capture even when barcodes are frosted, damaged, or low contrast.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Honest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/honest. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.

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